Battery



(N0 Model.)

W. MORISON.

ANDREW linnn-IAM. PHOTOumO WASMINGION. D C

(No Model.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. MORISON.

BATTERY.

No. 558,091. PatentedApr. 14, 1896.

UNITED `STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM MORISON, OF MONTOLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO TI'IE ECLIPSE ELECTRIC LAMP COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

BATTERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,091, dated April 14, 1896.

Application filed May 8, 1894. Renewed September 4, 1895. Serial No. 561,469. (No model.) Patented in lilnglandltay 21, 1894, No. 9,862.

To @ZZ whom t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MonrsoN, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, and a resident of Montclair, Essex county, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Battery, (patented in Great Britain May 2l, 1894, No. 9,862,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatuses for generating electricity, and has for its object the provision of a battery simple in construction, inexpensive in manufacture, and efficient in practical use.

To attain the desired end, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and operation of parts herein set forth.

In the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of my invention. Fig.V 2 is a transverse section on line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a rear view; Fig. et, a side elevation of my bicycle attachment. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. G is a detail in section of my stopper. Fig. 7 is a top view showing a diagram of my circuit wires, and Fig. 8 is va `detail in section of my vent-valve. Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of my battery, the supporting attachment being removed; and Fig. 10 is a plan view of a belt and supporting-plate to be used in connection therewith.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the views.

Referring particularly to the drawings, A denotes a hollow case or box ordinarily constructed water and acid proof and of electrically-non-conducting material and made small in size, so as to be readily handled in order to serve as a portable battery, and also to be utilized in the manufacture of bicycle and miners lamps and like articles. In the construction of said box I preferably take a plastic material possessing the requisite qualities above specified and subject the same in a mold to hydraulic or other pressure in order to thereby produce a perfectly hard, smooth,

` and homogeneous shell ofthe form hereinaft-er set forth.

The box A is ordinarily divided at one end, as by one or more vertical partitions into a series of -cells ai, which partitions extend nearly to the other and open end of the battery,` which is afterward closed by means of the coverA', which is made in a similar manner and preferably cemented in a water-tight acid-proof relation to the said case A, which. portion A of the said box forms a trough for the battery solution, and which I shall hereinafter designate as the bottom of the battery. A narrow opening is thus formed be` tween all the. cells for the purpose of charging and emptying the battery at one operation.

I place wires, as B, within the mold in order that the said wires, which serve to form connections between the electrodes, may be embedded and molded within the shell preferably together with the negative oonductin g rings or-linings of the openings, as O, and the negative battery elements, as the carbons D, connected therewith, so that when the positive elements, as the zines O, are secured within the rings O, the whole electrical organization will be absolutely protected from atmospheric action and also from the exciting iluid of the battery, excepting the battery elements themselves, which elements may be immersed in the battery solution upon reversing my battery, as hereinafter set forth.

I ordinarily locate one zinc and a series of carbon elements in each cell of my battery, and upon the said cells being filled with a suitable electrolyte a circuit will be established through the cell or plurality of cells comprising my battery, the anodes and cathodes being preferably connected, as indicated in the diagram shown in Fig. 7. Small binding-posts, as E El, one connected with each leg of the circuit, are also preferably molded within the shell of my battery. In one of the sides of this shell one opening, as A3, provided with a spout, as as, is formed, located ordinarily opposite the narrow opening communicating with the various cells for purposes of charging the entire number of cells of my battery, and also of discharging the battery fluid from the same at one operation.

As far as described my battery consists of a perfectly tight box or case, with the exception of the openings formed by the conductlos,

ing-rings, as C', and the inlet and outlet oriiice, as A3, and in order to maintain the same in a hermctically-sealed relation when moved around or held in any other position I provide a stopper consisting of an elastic washer, as F, surmounted by a metallic disk FQ from which depend, near the perimeter thereof, teeth f, struck or stamped from out the same, which teeth areof alength of about half the thickness of the washer, and also serve to grasp the periphery of the said elastic washer. A thumb screw or nut F2 serves, in connection with the threaded stem preferably cast in and rising from the cylindrical Zinc C, which stem is passed through the central orifice f of the washer F and plate F', to rigidly hold the parts together. This stopper or sealing device is so constructed relative to a conducting-ring C that when the nut F2 is not screwed downtight the zinc element C, t0- gether with the elastic washer, may be passed down through the ring C/ until the elastic washer F registers With the same and with the shell of the battery, whereupon by screwing the nut F2 against the plate Fthe washer F will be compressed and distended, and on account of the lateral pressure of the same against the ring C/ an air, Water, and acid tight joint is formed, while at the same time the depending teeth f are rigidly and electrically engaged with the said conducting-ring C', Which is connected with the circuit-wire, as hereinbefore set forth. By this construction the Zinc C may be readily removed and replaced when required. The stopper C3 for the orifice A3 is similarly constructed, except that a plate of insulating and acid-proof material is substituted for the zinc C.

If preferred,- the battery-shell may be molded with recessed portions or sockets and the carbon rods afterward cemented therein.

In some cases, as Where my battery is used for purposes of illumination in connection with a lamp of low resistance, gases are generated within the cells, and in order to provide for the escape of the same I sometimes provide my battery with a vent located at the bottom or end opposite the electrodes and consisting in this instance of a convex funnel-shaped orifice or valve-seat A4, located in the bottom of the battery, having a perforated cap a4, cemented upon thcface of the battery directly under the said orifice, the said cap being of a height a little less than that of the feet AG of the battery.` An elastic valve or stopper G is provided with a reinforcing-plate g and stem g', which stem passes through one of the perforations of the cap c4 and is secured to an arm of the spring-rod G', which is supported upon the battery-case, and serves to normally hold the stopper G within the orice A, the said stopper being thereby com'- pressed and flattened and held tightly against the sides of the orifice in order to prevent any leakage of the fluid contained within the battery, which when at rest stands as represented in the drawings, but which when in intermediate flexible cord t'.

action is reversed or turned upside down, as shown in Fig. 4, in order that the' elements may be acted upon by the exciting fluid,which is contained, as hereinbefore set forth, in each of the cells of my battery.

By reference to Fig. 8 it will be seen that my vent-valve G is so constructed that an unequal bearing will be produced when the same is entered within the convex orifice A4, which is made somewhat smaller than the valve G, as the reinforcing-plate g presses the elongated point of the same backward, thus causing the concave sides to become distended and engaged with and become tightly packed against the sides of the orifice A4, an absolutely tight and acid-proof joint thus being formed.

It is manifest that various omissions of some particulars could be made without materially affecting the essential features of my invention or the operation of the remaining parts, and I do not therefore wish to be limited to the specific structural details of the organization herein set forth. Obviously the elements of the structure described may be located at an angle to the plane in which they are shown, or they may be inverted, if desired. I accordingly use the words laterah and horizontal vertical and the like in a relative sense.

My battery may also be used in connection with a lamp in the following manner: To thc binding parts E and E in electrical connections with the legs e c of the circuit, I ordinarily attach a lamp, as I, as by means of an I also prefer to provide my battery with a detachable parabolic reflector K, in which is hung a lamp I', by means of wire coils t", t2, and t3, located in said refiector, the coils t i2 heilig connected l With the lamp filament. trical relation with the metallic reflector K,

The coil iis in elecwhich is held against the wire c, lying on a l projection a6 of the battery-shell A, by means of a screw h4, which secures the reiiector to the said battery. The coil t" is insulated from the reflector K, and terminates in a prong resting against the terminal wire e/ of the circuit, when the reiiector is secured in position. A single lamp may, if desired, be used in connection with my battery, or in lieu thereof two lamps, as shown in Fig. I provide means for sustaining my battery in a movable relation by pivoting the same at its central transverse axis to a suitable support, as abelt I-I, or bicycle-lamp attachment J, by which it may be caused to be laterally rotated in order either to complete the electrical circuit or to place the battery out of action. In connection therewith I provide automatic means for opening the vent simultaneously with setting the battery in action, as in the present instance, by placing a pin l on the stationary belt-plate L, to which the battery A is secured by the axial or swivel joint A10 and screw in orifice A15, the said pin Z being constructed and arranged to engage IOO IIO

With the horizontal arm gf of the spring-rod G', and thereby open the valve or stopper G, upon the battery being reversed, the cells becoming thereupon charged with the battery solution. The belt-plate L is attached to one end of a belt l-I and constitutes one member of the belt-fastener, the other member of which L' is attached to the other extremity of the belt and is provided with an angular hook or extension Z2 and With slots Z4, constructed and arranged to become respectively engaged With the slot Z3 and pins Z5 of the plate L, which is mounted upon a raised or projecting circular bearing molded upon the battery-case A and provided with a recessed portion aw. Consequently the members L and L of my belt-fastener can only be engaged and disengaged When the slot Z3 and recess aw register with each other, which occurs only when the vent is closed and the battery is out of action. The plate L is also preferably provided with a stop Z", whereby the rotation of the battery is prevented. For use in mining, the lamp I may be Worn on the hat, With or Without the use of the belt-light I', While for flash-lamp purposes my combined battery and lamp Will be found a very practical and convenient article.

It is evident that many changes in the construction and relative arrangement of parts might be resorted to-as, for example, the size and form of my battery-cells could be alteredwithout departing from' the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. An invertible single-fluid battery consisting of a closed Water-tight containing vessel, the outer Walls of Which are rigidly united together, having a series of interiorpartitions rigid With and extending from one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming a series of separate compartments isolated at one end and at the other opening into a common compartment, openings through one end Wall of said vessel into the various smaller compartmen ts for the introduction and Withdravval from Without of electrodes, means for inserting the electrodes With elastic stoppers from Without the closed battery-case in said openings, and an anode and cathode in each of the smaller compartments, and means for laterally compressing the said elastic stoppers.

2. An invertible single-fluid battery consisting of a closed Water-tight containing ves* sel, the outer Walls of Which are rigidly united together, having a series of interior partitions rigid With and extending from one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming a series of separate compartments isolated at one end and at the other opening into a common compartment, openings through one end Wall of said vessel into the various smaller compartments for the introduction and Withdrawal from Without of electrodes, means for inserting and fastening the electrodes from Without the closed battery-case in said openings, and an anode and cathode in each of the smaller compartments, and an opening through the outer Wall of the case into the said common compartment. Y

3. An invertible single-fluid battery consisting of a closed Water-tight containing vessel, the outer Walls of which are rigidly united together, having a series of interior partitions rigid with and extending from one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming aseries of separate compartments isolated at one end and at the other opening into acommon compartment, openings through one end Wall of said vessel into the various smaller compartments for the introduction and Withdrawal from Without of electrodes, means for inserting and fastening the electrodes from Without the closed battery-case in said openings, and an anode and cathode in each of the smaller compartments, and an opening through the outer Wall of the case into the said common compartment, and an elastic stopper for hermetically sealin g the said opening.

4. An invertible single-fluid battery consisting of a closed Watertight containing vessel, the outer Walls of which are rigidly united together, having a series of interior partitions rigid with and extending from. one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming a series of separate compartments isolated at one end and at the other opening into a common compartment, openings through one end Wall of said vessel into the various smaller compartments for the introduction and WithdraWal from Without of electrodes, means for inserting and fastening the electrodes from Without the closed battery-case in said open-` ings, and an anode and cathode in each of the smaller compartments, an electrode being rigidly affixed to, as by being molded in, the said containing vessel.

5. An invertible single-fluid battery con- IOO IIO

sisting of a closed Water-tight containing vessel, the outer Walls of Which are rigidly united together, having a series of interior partitions rigid with and extending from one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming a series of separate compartments isolated at one end and at the other opening into a common compartment, openings through one end Wall of said vessel into the various smaller compartments for the introduction and Withdrawal from Without of electrodes, means for inserting and fastening the electrodes from Without the closed battery-case in said openings, and an anode and cathode in each of the smaller compartments, in combination with stationary supports, as feet at one end, and a movable joint attachment, as a swivel-joint, on an adjacent side thereof.

6. An invertible single-fluid battery consisting of a closed Water-tight containing vessel, the outer Walls of which are rigidly united together having a series of interior partitions rigid With and extending from one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming a series of separate compartments isolated at one end and at the other opening into a common compartment, openings through one end Wall of said vessel into the various smaller compartments for the introduction and withdrawal from Without of electrodes, means for inserting and fastening the electrodes from Without the closed battery-case in said openings, and an anode and cathode in each of the smaller compartments, in combination with a movable joint attachment, as a swivel-joint, on one side, and a lamp and reflector on the opposite side thereof.

7. A tilting battery consisting ol a closed containing vessel, having a series of interior partitions rigid with and extending :from one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming a series of separate compartments opening into a common compartment, openings through one end of said vessel into the said compartments for the introduction of electrodes, and an anode and cathode in each of the compartments, in combination with a movable-joint attachment, as a swivel-joint and With an orifice or vent extending through the Wall of said vessel, and with automatic means for opening and closing the same.

S. An invertible single-fluid battery consisting of a closed Water-tight containing vessel, the outer Walls of which are rigidly united together having a series of interior partitions rigid with and extending from one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming a series of separate compartments isolated at one end and at the other opening into a common compartment, openings through one end Wall of said vessel into the various smaller compartments for the introduction and withdrawal from Without of electrodes, means for inserting and fastening the electrodes from without the closed battery-case in said openings, and an anode and cathode in each of the smaller compartments, in combination with a movable-joint attachment, as a swivel-j oint, and a stationary holding means or support, and also with means for locking the battery to said support in a disengageahlc relation in one of its two positions.

9. A battery consisting of a closed containing vessel constructed of electrically-non-conducting material, provided With a circuit-Wire system embedded in the material forming the battery-case, an opening through one end of said vessel into the interior compartment, for the introduction of an electrode, provided with a lining electrically connected with the said Wire system, and an anode and cathode in said compartment.

10. A battery consisting of a closed containing vessel constructed of electrically-non-conducting material, provided with a circuit-Wire system embedded in the material forming the battery-case, an opening through one end of said vessel into the interior compartment, for the introduction of an electrode, provided with a lining electrically connected with the said Wire system, and an anode and cathode in said compartment, and an elastic stopper for hermetically sealing the said opening.

ll. Abattery consisting of aclosed containing vessel constructed of electrically-non-conducting material, provided with a circuit-Wire system embedded in the material forming the battery-ease, an opening through one end of said vessel into the interior compartment for the introduction ot an electrode, provided With a lining electrically connected with the said Wire system, and a cathode in said compartment, and an elastic stopper provided with conducting means and an anode, Whereby at one operation the battery-case may be hermetically sealed, and a connection With the Wire circuit made.

l2. A battery consisting of a closed Watertight containing vessel constructed of electricall y-non-conducting material, provided With a circuit-Wire system embedded in the material forming the batterycase, an opening through one end of said vessel into the interior compartment, for the introduction oan electrode, provided With a lining electrically connected with the said Wire system, and an anode and cathode in said compartment, the cathode being rigidly aflixed to, as by being molded in, the said containing vessel, and thereby'placed in electrical connection With the said interior Wire system.

13. An invertible single-fluid battery consisting of a closed Water-tight containing vessel, the outer Walls of which are rigidly united together havin ga series of interior partitions rigid with and extending from one end to a point adjacent to the other end, forming a series of separate compartments isolated at one end and at the other opening into a common compartment, openings through one end Wall of said vessel into the various smaller compartments for the introduction and Withdrawal from Without of electrodes, means for inserting and fastening the electrodes from without the closed battery-case in said openings and an anode and cathode in each of the smaller compartments, and an opening through one Wall of said vessel into the common compartment constituting a vent, and an elastic vent-valve or stopper for hermetically sealing the said opening or vent.

la. An invertible battery consisting of a closed containing vessel constructed of electricallynon conducting material and provided With an interior compartment containing an anode and cathode, an opening through one Wall ot' said vessel into the said compartment constituting a vent, self-Working means for opening and maintaining the vent in an open relation as long as the battery is in one position, and means for automatically closing said vent constructed and arranged to be operated by reversing the battery to its other position.

15. An invcrtible battery consisting of a closed containing vessel constructed of electrically -non conducting material and pro- IOC IIC

vided with an interior compartment containing an anode and cathode, an opening through one wall of the said vessel into the said compartment for the introduction of an electrode, an opening through one wall of said vessel constituting a vent, and means, as a stopper, for closing said opening or vent when the battery is in one position, and a secondary protecting cap independent of the stopping means and located opposite said vent to prevent the electrolyte from spilling out therefrom when the vent is open.

16. A support, an invertible battery consisting of a closed containing vessel constructed of electrically-non-conducting material, and provided with an interior compartment containing an anode and cathode, an opening through one wall of said vessel into the said compartment constituting a vent, self-working means to engage the support and open and maintain the vent in an open relation as long as the battery is in one position, and to automatically close said vent when the battery is reversed to its other position. v

17. A battery consisting of one or more cells and constructed of non-conducting material, and provided with a funnel-shaped orifice or vent in combination with an elastic vent-valve constructed with concave sides, and with an elongated end, and provided with a reinforcing-plate, whereby when the said valve is forced into the oriiice, the valve is fiattened or laterally di stended, thus forming a tight joint. Y

1S. A laterally-pivoted battery consisting of a box or case provided at one end with a trough normally filled with the battery solution and at the other with one or more cells and with battery elements, in combination with a normally-closed Vent-valve located at the end opposite the electrodes, and also with means whereby upon reversing the position of the battery, the same will be automatically set in action and the vent-valve opened.

19. The combination of a battery-shell provided with a metallic ring of a stopper consisting of an elastic washer surmounted by a metallic disk provided with integral teeth to grasp the said washer, and of a battery element provided with a stem passing through.

the said washer and disk and carrying an adjustable thumb screw or nut whereby the said teeth are electrically engaged with the metallic ring.

20. Apivoted battery provided with a movable-joint attachment as a swivel-joint, in

In testimony of the foregoing specificationV I do hereby sign the same, in the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, this 4th day of May, A. D. 1894.

WILLIAM MORISON.

Witnesses:

J. ODELL FOWLER, Jr., ALFRED E. SMITH, Jr. 

